At Tuesday night’s training, the Roosters unveiled a special red-and-green strip – reminiscent of the club colours in the 1930s – which will be worn on Sunday as they take on Cooma at the Bega Rec Ground. The ladies league-tag side will don an orange-and black jumper.

The club is also acknowledging its valued sponsors with finger food and light refreshments in the clubhouse on game day at noon. 

Meanwhile, the young Roosters were paid a visit by representatives of Grand Pacific Health and the Bega Valley Sexual Health Service for a discussion of drug and alcohol awareness and safe sex.

Liz Scott from Grand Pacific Health said the discussions with the under 18s revolved around the different risks associated with drug and alcohol use and how they can keep themselves safe.

They also discussed issues of sexual health, the proper use of a condom, and the potential risk for unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

“You need to know you can’t tell by looking at someone if they have an STI,” Ms Scott said.

“Chlamydia in one in particular where the rates are quite high – the age group 15 to 29 have the highest rates and most people don’t know they have it.

“And it can take only one time [of having unprotected sex].

“The only way they know is to get a sexual health screen, which is what we did tonight,” she said of the many players who submitted urine for analysis.

“It’s about breaking down that stigma and encourage them to seek help as a normal part of health care rather than feeling ashamed.”

Bega president Garry Arkin said the sessions were to become an annual part of the club’s responsibility to its players.